Go Home
UPDATE 6/11 -- Well, I haven't had much time to update the page. Those who think it's because the team is struggling and I'm a front runner are WRONG. Fact is, I have always lagged updating since I started this page 3 years ago. Anyway, the season has been dismal. Enron Field has been good to everyone but the Stros. They are getting killed there, and the road has been a miserable place lately. Pitching is non-existant, with a few good outings scattered around. The bullpen is horrible, responsible for more than 1 loss. The offense comes and goes, and should improve when they quit trying to yank the ball every at bat. Defense hasn't been great, with some shaky outfielders. Go to each area to see more comments.
UPDATE 6/11: Well, Bagwell started good, but has found a nice slump lately. Probably due to the poor hitting in front of him (traditionally it's been the latter part of the lineup). Biggio is in a season-long slump, and just can't find a rhythm. If comes around, watch Bags take off. With many at bats with the bases empty though, Bagwell sits at the mercy of the pitcher. Caminiti is having another good year, dispelling doubts about his demise. Defensively he has really made some great plays, showing he still has it. Cammy also hits well in Enron cause he's a switch hitter that goes to all fields from both sides of the plate. Tim Bogar has been the bust. Shortstop is killing the Stros. No offense from that position has hampered the bottom of the lineup, and that comes around to the guys at the top. At catcher is Rookie of Year leader Mitch Melusky. He's hitting well, and showing a nice power stroke. He's learning to handle the rotation, which will make him among the best catchers in the league in a few years. He loves Enron, and the fans there love him right back. Time will tell if the old B's can adjust to the new surroundings.
UPDATE 6/11: Well, Richard Hidalgo should get All Star consideration. His average isn't great, but he leads the team in homers, showing he loves it at Enron. Since he's hitting 5th, his average isn't much of concern when Bags and Cammy are on. Also, in the field he should be a gold glover. He covers the center field better than the much faster Roger Cedano, and has made some great plays. Cedano has been bust, until he went on the DL anyway. He did show some promise when moved to the leadoff, but was under .200 for a while. His defense doesn't impress me either, plus he gets thrown out stealing more than he should. Moises has battled injuries, though he has hit for average. He needs to regain the homerun stroke to help get this lineup juiced. Daryl Ward started red hot (where he ended 99), but has come to earth. Hitting under .230 won't get him in the lineup, not even with a few homers. His defense is worst of all outfielders, and he's very ugly to watch. Lance Berkman is really coming on, and should bump Ward further down the bench. His defense needs some work, but is getting the average hitting to go with power. I still like this kid.
UPDATE 6/11: Well, here's a major killer of this team. Chris Holt has pitched well lately, and could be the emerging staff ace. Shane Reynolds started great, but has struggled lately. They need him to get more consistant and start eating innings. These 2 could really make this team better, if they pitch deeper in games. Neither has shown much stamina though, especially compared to previous years in the Dierker regime. Jose Lima is a bust, just like I always said. He can't pitch outside of the Dome, and he's throwing gasoline at fire when he pitches at Enron. His ERA is over 8, and a few decent outings won't cure his tendency to give up monster home runs. Octavio Dotel isn't much better, showing nothing in return for Hampton. Maybe he has potential, but his fast ball leaves Enron faster than that train. The rotation figured to look worse outside the astrodome, and they lived up to expectations. These guys should get it together. Some unknown AAA rejects have pitched great games against the Stros in Enron, proving this park can be tamed.
Last year, Billy Wagner established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball, starter or reliever. He saved everything in sight, and was unhittable all year. However, a twinge in his elbow took him out of the playoff seriers, and is still a concern in Houston. They need Billy, his saves will be very important. If he his elbow hasn't been affected by the injury, he will become the best closer in baseball this year, and make a good run for the Cy Young. The rest of the bullpen is not so solid. Jay Powell struggled a bit last year, after really playing strong since he was acquired. The Astros need him, Jose Cabrera, and Doug Henry to have strong year. The starting rotation isn't going to take many games past the 6th or 7th inning. These guys have to give Billy a chance to save the game. Last year, the middle relievers were responsible for more than a few losses. This year, they may be the make it or break it link.
UPDATE 6/11: Well, the bullpen has accomplished nothing, slightly less than the starters. Billy Wagner is getting beat like a rented mule. Whatever happened late last season looks to be lingering. He is not effective, and gets beat almost every day now. Jay Powell and Doug Henry have been marginal, blowing some games themselves. Mike Maddux was actually the best pitcher out of the pen until he got hurt. That's sad considering he's about 10 miles from his brother in skill. If there is any chance for this team, the bullpen has to improve. Give the offense a chance to comeback, or hold a lead for more than 1/3 of an inning. Billy, what happened?? We need you kid. I'm still pulling for you, but I'm growing weary.
UPDATE 6/11: Well, not much from other players should be expected. Dwight Gooden, Russ Johnson, and Paul Bako were traded for pretty much nothing. None of them are important anyway. But, no minor leaguers, except Julio (?) Lugo, should make an appearance. Adam Everett won't be up this year, and maybe not next either, so shortstop remains hole.
Please don't forget to sign my Guestbook
Well, the new millenium starts where the old one left off. This off-season, the Astros lost another Cy Young caliber pitcher in Mike Hampton (last year was the Big Unit). The trade was smart, since Hamp didn't want to negotiate a contract. With Bagwell also expiring this year, the Stros couldn't afford both. So, they traded Hamp and got a little in return (better than nothing in free agent rules). They dumped Derek Bell's salary in the deal, which may have been their best gain (with so many outfielders waiting to play). Also gone is Carl Everett, traded to Boston for a shortstop prospect. Money is the contributing factor there, let's hope Adam Everett turns out as good as the last prospect Boston gave us (can you say Bagwell?). In analysis, the team isn't as strong as the past few years. The Hampton loss will be the biggest. You can't lose an ace like him and return to business as usual 
The infield of the Astros has been the heart and soul for the past decade. Jeff Bagwell remains a solid defensive 1st baseman. Craig Biggio and Ken Caminti are slipping a little, but still provide a formidable force. Shortstop is shaky, as usual, with the departure of Ricky Gutirrez. Ricky never was much of a defensive stopper, but had a contributing bat from time-to-time. In steps Tim Bogar, who's not as good as Ricky in either respect. His hitting is a bonus if he's over 200, though his glove isn't the worst around. He's just keeping the spot warm for Adam Everett. Hitting wise, the Bagwell-Biggio-Caminti combo will be the key to success for this team. Bagwell will be an MVP candidate again, while the other 2 must contribute to support the deteriorating pitching staff. These guys have played together for a long time, and probably get along better than any other trio in baseball. With the new Enron Field, all 3 should have offensive outbursts. Let's hope so, there's no room for anything less. 
The future in the outfield looks bright. Moises Alou returns from a knee injury that kept him out in 99. He anchors an outfield that will see many battles for playing time. Moises was MVP claiber in 98, and should be there again. Carl Everett is gone from center field, but Richard Hidalgo and Roger Cedano are capable replacements on the defensive end. Hidalgo has a terrific arm and Cedano has great speed. Either one can fill the center spot, the one that doesn't will have to battle Daryl Ward for time in right. Ward was the phenom AAA callup last year who shows a serious amount of power. He's gonna love the new stadium, and I figure will be a starter by the end of the year. That is 4 starting quality outfielders, so hopefully Dierker can find a way to keep them happy. Also, Lance Berkman is waiting for a chance too. He's also a long baller who will benefit from the new stadium. The problem with Berkman and Ward is they are major defensive liabilities. Neither played the OF before, and that's the only thing holding them back. Don't forget about Bill Spiers, who will see time in the OF also. 
The loss of Hampton means Shane Reynolds returns to the ace of this staff. A couple years ago, he was as good as anyone. Then a knee injury really derailed his career. Last year he struggled to win a lot of games, and but did show some toughness down the stretch. There is still hope he'll find his form, but split-finger pitchers usually never have comebacks. Jose Lima is probably the most deceiving guy on the team. He won over 20 games last year, but he really struggled down the stretch. He gave up more HR's than any other pitcher, and that stat should say a lot. With Hampton gone, he now has to become the #2 starter, meaning his win total will go down unless he can keep the ball in the yard. At the new stadium, that is an unlikely wish. The 3rd spot belongs to future ace Scott Elarton. He came into the rotation after the season started last year, and did pretty good but never got past the stamina problem. Then an injury took him out early, and it is still keeping him out early in 2000. Scott could be the next Kile/Hampton from the Astro system, but I thinks he needs a good spring training concentrating on being a starter (he was a nice bullpen ingredient). At times he looks dominant, but when the tank goes dry he is very hittable. Let's hope his arm strength returns. The Hampton deal brought the #4 guy, Octavio Dotel. His prospects depend on who you listen to. In the Astrodome, he might have been a nice addition. Now, he's still a question mark. A shaky spring doesn't instill much confidence. But he is young, and the Astros have done a nice job in the past of getting the most out of young pitchers (see Jose Lima). Fifth starter is Dwight Gooden, and let's hope he doesn't see much action. 
Other players to watch include Chris Holt. He had very bad luck last year, losing some tough games. His ERA wasn't bad, the W-L was. That's encouraging, cause Hampton struggled for wins before last year. Holt will probably occupy the #3 rotation slot until Elarton is ready to go. He had a good spring, and he also could be ready to break out. The catching position belongs to Tony Eusebio for now. He is consistent, though lacks seriously on the defense. Mitch Meleusky is still the man in waiting, but he has to come back from a knee injury. Paul Bako got a lot of experience last year, and still could contribute to this team. However, Bako is not a starting caliber catcher. Glen Barker, CF, is another guy to watch. He has blazing speed, and was a nice defensive replacement last year. His hitting needs a lot of work, but he could still occupy a roster spot. Otherwise, keep an eye on him in AAA, he's a future starter. This team will need all cylinders to make a run this year. The Reds and Cardinals are both improved, and the Astros have come down a notch. If the young pitchers prove they are as good as advertised, this team is championship caliber. They do have a lot of depth, though most of it is in inexperienced players. How they settle into Enron Field will also be key. Will the hitters take advantage of the friendly confines, and can the pitchers remain effective?? So many years in a the spacious Astrodome will make the transition slow. Whatever happens, be ready for another exciting Astro run. 
Links to other sites on the Web
Astros Home Page
Check out this cool Jeff Bagwell page.
Very good Astro Site
times since spring training began.
Get your own Free Home Page
©2000